Julius Caesar

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   sullymonster Teacher
   Community / Jr. College

   Brevity in the lines, particularly in a play, means that the action is moving faster.  The focus bounces from one character to another, increasing the pace of the story.  A long speech by one character slows it down.  The reason this speed is important in this scene is that it adds to the suspense.  The audience knows what is about to happen - they know that Caesar is in danger of attack at any minute.  Already on the edge of their seat, the quick interplay between characters makes things more tense.

   Notice that after Caesar is stabbed, the speeches do get longer overall.  The servant has a short monologue, and Brutus, and the culminating speech comes from Mark Antony which begins with his farewell to Caesar:

   ANTONY: O mighty Caesar! Dost thou lie so low?
   Are all thy conquests, glories, triumphs, spoils,
   Shrunk to this little measure? Fare thee well.

   Sources:

   http://www.enotes.com/jc-text/act-iii-scene-i?start=2

   http://www.enotes.com/jc/act-iii-commentary

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   Posted by sullymonster on Thursday October 9, 2008 at 7:43 PM
   
   

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